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Some vendors are cheap, some ridiculously expensive. I looked for a East of Eden boxset. Found it at one vendor for $100. A couple aisles down another vendor had the same thing for $50. It really just depends. ACen has no control over what vendors charge really, so if a vendor wants to overcharge, that's their problem. On a similar note, don't forget that some vendors are willing to haggle or make deals, especially on Sunday.

An extra hour or two of shopping time would be great, as a con-goer. But on the other side, for vendors and artists longer hours could be total hell. They already have a lot of setup and takedown to do, plus limited time for events or breaks in between. If next year they decide to increase the hours, I won't complain, but at the same time I don't really wanna beg for it. Those vendors and artists work hard enough for conventions as it is.

Just as a general statement to help identify me... 5'3, 23 years old, female.
Friday and Saturday I was dressed as Rukia from Bleach, in her school uniform.
Saturday and Sunday I was dressed as Glaceon from Pokemon.

I just posted a complaint in the general complaints area... Didn't realize there was an IRT specific thread. Reposting here in case the other one doesn't get seen.
I had an issue with IRT that could have very easily been avoided this year...
Just outside my hotel room's door, there was an elevator. There was no sign, and I didn't require a special key or something to operate it, so one would assume it was a normal elevator. When I got to the lobby floor, I walked out to discover an IRT waiting just down the hall. He stated it was a service elevator for staff only, and he would need to take my badge number. When I mentioned that there was no sign to indicate it wasn't for public use, I was told that the hotel wasn't letting them put up signs. I then discovered later from a different IRT that there WERE some signs posted, but not on each floor.
I have never had an issue in all 8 years I've been going to ACen. And I have certainly NEVER had my badge name/number taken down by anyone. If staff needs certain elevators set aside for themselves, that I completely understand. But common sense would tell you that you need to let the public know. Have signs clearly visible in and outside the elevator. Have the elevator require a key in order to operate, etc.
I was innocently using an elevator placed directly outside my room, that wasn't labeled otherwise. As result, I get a strike against me. That is simply unacceptable by anyone's standards.

For 2 years I was on merch staff. 2012 I wasn't on staff. I was removed from the staff mailing list, but I guess someone forgot to remove me from the forums. I'm still able to access the staff areas of the forums. My account needs to be changed to normal user. Thanks.

I had an issue with IRT that could have very easily been avoided this year...
Just outside my hotel room's door, there was an elevator. There was no sign, and I didn't require a special key or something to operate it, so one would assume it was a normal elevator. When I got to the lobby floor, I walked out to discover an IRT waiting just down the hall. He stated it was a service elevator for staff only, and he would need to take my badge number. When I mentioned that there was no sign to indicate it wasn't for public use, I was told that the hotel wasn't letting them put up signs. I then discovered later from a different IRT that there WERE some signs posted, but not on each floor.
I have never had an issue in all 8 years I've been going to ACen. And I have certainly NEVER had my badge name/number taken down by anyone. If staff needs certain elevators set aside for themselves, that I completely understand. But common sense would tell you that you need to let the public know. Have signs clearly visible in and outside the elevator. Have the elevator require a key in order to operate, etc.
I was innocently using an elevator placed directly outside my room, that wasn't labeled otherwise. As result, I get a strike against me. That is simply unacceptable by anyone's standards.

There are plenty of other cons in the country, both anime/manga and other genres, that are the same size or larger than us. Have we collaborated with any of them before? Perhaps they have better crowd control strategies that we can adapt.

Putting this in the Insanity forum, because clearly the topic is totally insane.
We all survived "the rapture" that was supposed to happen during ACen, on May 21. OOPS JUST KIDDING, turns out the end of the world is actually October 21. Harold Camping, the Evangelist who made the claim in the first place, revised his prophecy. Supposedly about 140000 people were silently judged and taken to heaven on Saturday, but the actual destruction of the earth won't take place for another 5 months. Sorry kids, Halloween is cancelled this year!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/harold-camping-reaffirms-october-date-for-the-end-of-the-world-says-may-21-date-was-invisible-judgment-day/2011/05/24/AFVsMhAH_story.html
I hope this guy makes another end-times prediction next year. I enjoyed having a rapture party during ACen.

As long as you're responsible, alcohol can be a nice social thing. Banning alcohol simply wouldn't work, because then the hotels lose money on liquor sales and we lose attendees. Besides, I honestly doubt a ban would prevent anyone from smuggling in their booze.
This goes for everyone; If you personally know anyone who just likes to get drunk and rave, might I suggest talking to them? Everyone at ACen likes to party and have a good time, but that's not all we're here for. We're a Japanese animation/culture convention. If someone just wants a place to get drunk and party, suggest a club or bar for them. ACen can still be a place for parties and drinking (21+), but it shouldn't be to such an extreme. Plus if someone decides to party too hard and breaks something, the con foots the bill. Then that's less money to have for next year's con. Please encourage all your friends to be responsible!

Unfortunately, once the badges leave us and enter the mail system, it's mostly out of our hands. We don't control the postal system and sometimes things can get lost along the way. But it was posted on the forums (and on the main page) that those who didn't receive their badge in the mail, there was a will-call booth for them to get another badge.
On this note, might I suggest adding a disclaimer for online registration next year? If someone orders their badge in the mail, their should be a notice about this problem that could potentially happen to them, and what to do if it happens.

ACen is always around some school's prom every year. I always enjoy it. Prom people stare at us like we're weirdo aliens, since most con-goers are in costumes (or at least are wearing ears/tails). We just stare back at them, because they're a bunch of freaks in ridiculous dresses. Also 2009 was the best, because my little sister's prom was there the same week as ACen! Ahhh, humiliation abound.